Gender Heroes

Gender Heroes

Considering the strong linkages between gender and exposure to hazardous chemicals and wastes as well as the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in the chemicals and waste agenda, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions has been making efforts to integrate the gender dimension into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its activities as well as to promote gender equality internally.

In the lead up to the 2015 COPs gender mainstreaming discussion, the Secretariat requested Parties and others to submit stories on how gender issues are considered in and impacted by hazardous chemicals and waste management at the local, national and regional levels.

The stories received by the Secretariat have been compiled and brought out in the form of a publication, entitled “Gender Heroes: from grassroots to global action: a collection of stories featuring gender perspectives on the management of hazardous chemicals and wastes”.

The stories in this publication have been selected as they raise issues of chemicals and wastes management of particular relevance to gender and highlight actions taken at the individual and community level to protect the most vulnerable segments of our population from the potentially harmful effects of certain chemicals and wastes. The stories talk about a wide range of issues, including toxic metals contamination and pesticides impacts, gender aspects in e-waste and shipbreaking, plastics in the environment, and waste collection. The authors of the stories come from different corners of the world: from countries in Asia through Russia and Nigeria to Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The publication was launched at the side event in the margins of the 2015 COPs. Some of the stories were presented by their authors during the event. For greater awareness and visibility, the stories are featured in a serial manner on this website.